Tom Hayden's Blog, page 63

Iraq Invades Oakland

The predicted police violence rapidly is coming true. First, on October 18, US Marine Sgt. Shamar Thomas, back from two tours in Iraq, intervened to reproach the NYPD for wanton attacks on peaceful protesters in Manhattan. Nine days later, a 24-year old Iraq war veteran, Scott Olson, was felled with a skull fracture on the streets of Oakland after being struck by a projectile fired by police into a crowd.

Neo-Cons Blame Obama for Iraq "Loss" to Iran

The neo-conservatives were the vanguard who advocated, lobbied for and won the authorization forcibly replace Saddam Hussein with Shiite Iraqis linked to Iran. Having installed those forces in power in Baghdad, the same neo-conservatives now blame President Obama for losing the country to the Iranians.

Heart Attack Iraq

On October 21, when President Obama announced that all American troops would be withdrawing from Iraq, I learned that I needed surgery on a blocked carotid artery, and soon. Ten years earlier, between the 9/11 attacks and the US invasion of Iraq, I was having quintuple bypass surgery. The Cedars-Sinai doctors even delayed the operation in case Los Angeles was struck that day.

The Next Wars To End

While monitoring possible deception during the Iraq pullout, it is important for the peace movement to engage in the effort to end the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Experience shows that a vibrant anti-war movement is a necessary element in ending these wars. Here are some steps.

Remarks by the President on Ending the War in Iraq

President Obama announced that US troops will leave Iraq by the end of 2011.

After Nearly Nine Years of War and Occupation, Obama to Withdraw All US Troops From Iraq

In a stunning and largely unexpected victory for the American peace movement and Iraqi opponents of the US occupation, the Associated Press reported October 16 that virtually all US troops will withdraw from Iraq as scheduled by this December 31.

Assuming the report is true, the US pullout will allow President Obama to keep an important promise, and the Iraqi government to defend its sovereign power.